Brussels sprouts are cold weather crop that are in the same family as cabbage. Brussels sprouts are a delicious side dish that are packed with vitamins and minerals. Although they have a long growing season, brussels sprouts will increase in flavor after a few light frosts. Learn how to grow brussels sprouts with this easy to follow gardening guide and reap the delicious benefits of this amazingly flavorful vegetable!
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts in Your Garden
Planting Brussels Sprouts:
- Start by sowing seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
- Alternatively, you can also sow seeds outdoors 4 months before the first fall frost, although we do recommend starting them indoors for best results.
- Raised beds are recommended when growing brussels sprouts since they are a cold weather vegetable and weather can change drastically.
- A few days before transplanting, work some fertilizer into your soil.
- Plant seedlings 12-24 inches apart.
- If you're sowing seeds directly into the ground, plant them 1/2 inch deep, and 2-3 inches apart. Once plants have reached 6 inches in height, thin them to 12-24 inches apart.
- Water well after planting.
Caring for Brussels Sprouts:
- Fertilize three weeks after transplanting.
- Mulch heavily to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
- Since roots are shallow and easily prone to damage, do not cultivate.
Harvesting Brussels Sprouts:
- You can harvest brussels sprouts from the bottom of the stalks once they reach about 1 inch in diameter.
- Do not wash the sprouts before storing them – only right before you plan to use them.
- If you're planning on a winter harvest, keep brussels sprouts plants safe by covering them with straw.
Happy Planting!
Why does it look like someone has removed the leaves from the bottom. I need to know how to do this and when.
Hi Carla Jo, That’s a great question! You can start pruning Brussels sprouts leaves once you see at least one sprout developing. You should to this to encourage growth and further sprout development. During the first pruning, cut off about 6-8 leaves, and the cut should be as close to the main stem as possible. Throughout the growing season, keep pruning 2-3 leaves on the lower part of the plant. Be sure to keep the larger, healthy leaves that are located on the upper part of the plant. About three weeks before harvest, strop pruning bottom leaves all together, and… Read more »
Can Brussel sprouts grow in the summer.
Hi Barbara,
Brussels sprouts prefer a cooler climate to grow in, but you can certainly sow seeds in mid-summer and expect a fall harvest. The seeds grow best in warm soil, so technically, Brussels sprouts do grow in the summer, but they’re ready for harvest in the fall.
The leaves are edible like any cabbage: boiled, sautéed, stuffed. Like a mild cabbage in taste.
Could I grow them in a 5 gallon bucket?
Hi Janine,
Yes, you absolutely can. A 5-7 gallon bucket would be ideal to grow a Brussels sprout plant. Be sure that the bucket is at least 12 inches deep and 12-14 inches in diameter.
Help help! I’m in a zone 3 climate… this is my second attempt at Brussels sprouts… I have a lot of leaf and no sprouts… they plants are 8-10 inches tall and no sign of sprouts at all 🙁
Thoughts?